Rowan Free Press blogger charged with domestic-abuse offenses in Wisconsin

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, July 24, 2018

Former Salisbury blogger Steve Mensing, who now lives in Madison, Wisconsin, was recently charged with domestic-abuse offenses, according to court records.

Mensing, 71, who has maintained the Rowan Free Press blog since March 2012, was arrested July 7 at his Fordem Avenue apartment in Wisconsin. The Madison Police Department charged Mensing with criminal damage to property, intimidating a witness and disorderly conduct, all of which are misdemeanors.

According to court records, Mensing was ordered to undergo a domestic abuse assessment for each offense.

Court records show that Mensing appeared in court July 10 with his attorney, David J.W. Klauser.

“The defendant received a copy of the complaint and waived reading. Defendant stood mute. Court entered not guilty plea as to any misdemeanor counts,” court records said.

Mensing was ordered to have no contact with the victim.

A Post reporter contacted the Dane County Clerk of Court’s Office in Wisconsin for a copy of the complaint and is awaiting a response. Officials with the Madison Police Department said they cannot release an incident report prior to the completion of the court case.

A final pretrial hearing is scheduled Aug. 23.

Mensing did not respond to a request for comment on this story. Mensing, who is still listed as editor in chief and publisher of Rowan Free Press, has not made a blog post since July 7.

Contact reporter Shavonne Walker at 704-797-4253.